Enclosed circuit breaker



Feb 27, 1940. D. ELLIS 2,191,523

ENCLOSED CIRCUVIT BREAKER Filed June 8, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. Z

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WITNESSES: INVENTOR I I fieZbertEZZz's.

@. .flwu BY a; A TToRNE Feb, 27, 1940. ELUS 2,191,523

ENCLOSED CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed June 8, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES: INVENTOR Patented Feb. 27, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE inghonse Electric & Mann! East Pittsburgh.- Pa.I a corporation sylvania Compa y.

f Penn- Application June I, 1988, Serial N0- 212,?

iiicisima the enclosing cabinet, and the circuit breaker or I switch.

An object of the invention is the provision of' a circuit breaker or switch enclosing cabinet with an improved locking device for locking the cover of the cabinet closed to prevent opening thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker enclosing cabinet with a common locking device for locking the cover of the cabinet closed and the breaker enclosed by the cabinet in a predetermined position. l5 Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker or switch enclosing cabinet with a locking device for locking the cover of the cabinet closed, and the breaker or switch enclosed by the cabinet in the ofl" position by means of a common lock.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker enclosing cabinet with a locking device which is operable when locked in one position to lock the cover of. the cabinet closed, and operable when locked in a second position to lock the cover closed and the circuit breaker in the "03 position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a locking device as previously described which is simple, inexpensive to manufacture, and which may be applied to existing circuit breaker enclosing cabinets without substantially altering the existing cabinet.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to structure and operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will 'be best understood from the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a circuit breaker enclosing cabinet embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the cabinet showing the locking device in the position in which the cover is latched but not locked;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 2, showing the locking device locked in the locking position in which it locks the cover closed and the breaker in the "off" position:

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cabinet taken substantially on the line IV-IV of Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows;

(01. zoo-so) Fig. 5 is a phantom perspective view of the cabinet; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the locking device taken substantially on the line VI-VI of Fig. 1.

The present invention constitutes a further development of the inventions disclosed in the copending applications of Glenn R. Runke and Harlan S. Gano, Serial No. 8658, nled February 28, 1935, and John H. Bogaerts.'8erial No. 91,669, filed July 21, 1936, now Patent 2,173,872, issued November 22, 1938; both applications being assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the cabinet shown comprises a rectangular box-like metal casing 8 and a cooperating metal cover II. The cover ll is secured to one of the side walls of the casing by means of a pair of hinges H. which permit the cover to be swung to open and closed positions.

An automatic circuit breaker ll having an oscillatable handle II for operating the breaker mechanism is mounted in the casing I and secured to the back wall I! thereof in any suitable manner. The circuit breaker I5 is preferably of the type fully described in Patent 2,047,739. issued to H. J. Lingal, July 14, 1936, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. However, any suitable circuit interrupter or electrical switch unit may be mounted in the casing ii.

The cover ii of the cabinet is provided with a raised portion or dome 2| into which the operating handle I I of the circuit breaker projects. An

operating handle 23 is rotatably mounted on the exterior surface of the cover H. The handle 23 is secured to a stub shaft 25 (Fig. 6) which Drojects through a bushing 28 provided in the cover II. An operating plate 21 of triangular shape is secured to the shaft 2! inside of the cover.

The operating plate 21 is provided with a slotted opening it in one side thereof for receiving the handle I! of thecircuit breaker, as shown in Fig. 1. The circuit breaker i5 is operated from i the exterior of the cabinet by moving the operating handle 23 to various positions which causes the operating plate 21 to move the breaker handle H to corresponding positions, thereby operating the circuit breaker.

In order to prevent breakage of the breaker handle 11 when an abnormally large force is applied to the operating handle 23, a clevis spring II is provided which is mounted on the operatins plate 21 by means of a rivet 33. The arms of the clevis spring 3| extend along the edges of the slotted opening 2. in spaced relation thereto and are bent inwardly adjacent their ends to engage the opposite sides of the breaker handle II. A

pair of stop brackets 33 are secured to the cover for limiting rotation of the operating plate 21 and handle 23 in either direction. The stop brackets 35 are so disposed that they will be engaged by the edges of the operating plate 21 when the operating handle 23 has been rotated its maximum distance in either direction. The clevis spring 3| has sumcient stiffness to operate the breaker handle |1 under normal conditions, but when an abnormal force is applied to the handle 23, the spring arms will deflect and limit the force applied to the breaker handle H to a safe value. At the time the safe value is reached, the operating plate 21 will have engaged one or the other of the stop brackets 33 to prevent the application of any further or greater force to the breaker handle |1.

The exterior surface of the cover II is marked with suitable indicia such as "on, tripped,

"oil" and "reset to indicate the various positions of the breaker handle l1. The circuit breaker is operated by moving the operating handle 23 to various positions which causes the operating plate 23 to move the breaker handle H to corresponding positions, thereby actuating the breaker. The circuit breaker, may be closed by moving the operating handle 23 to the on position, and opened by moving the handle 23 to the "o position. In case the circuit breaker is tripped automatically, the operating handle 23 is actuated to the tripped position, thereby indicating that the breaker has been tripped by an overload condition in the circuit in which it controls. To reset the circuit breaker following a tripping operation, the operating handle 23 is moved to the reset position to effect resetting of the breaker mechanism.

In order to prevent the cover ll of the cabinet from being opened when the circuit breaker is in the "on position, an interlocking device 31 is mounted on a side wall of the cabinet to engage a lateral projection 39 on the downwardly extending tail piece 4| of the operating plate 21. The interlocking device 31 comprises a latch 42 which is pivotally mounted on the side wall of the cabinet by means of a bolt 43 to which it is secured. The latch 42 is biased by a spring 43 to a position in which it will engage the lateral projection 39 on the operating plate 21 when the operating handle 23 is in the "on position. A stop member 41 is secured to the side wall of the cabinet to limit movement of the latch 42 in an upward direction. When the operating handle 23 is moved to the 011" or reset position, the lateral projection 39 of the operating plate 21 is moved clear of the latch 42 so that the cover of the cabinet can be opened. The head of the bolt 43 which supports the latch 42 is accessible from outside of the cabinet so that the bolt may be turned by an authorized person to disengage the latch 42 from the projection 39 to permit opening of the cover when the breaker is in closed or 011" position.

The structure as thus far described is similar to the structures disclosed in the previously mentioned copending applications.

A locking device indicated generally at 49 is provided for locking the cover closed and the breaker in the "01! position. The locking device comprises a locking lever 3| which is pivotally mounted on the side wall of-the casing 9, a locking plate bracket 33 secured to an edge of the cover, and a movable locking bar 33 which is moved by the lockingleverfl.

The locking lever 3| is secured to a stub shaft 31 which extends through the bushing provided in the sidewall of the casing 9. The free end of the locking lever is provided with a latch nose 39 which is adapted to engage a latch bracket 9| secured to the edge of the cover II for latching the cover in closed positions, as shown in Fig. 2. A coil spring 33 on the shaft 31 serves to bias the locking lever 3| in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, to latching position. One end of the spring 33 engages a pin 93 secured to the side wall of the casing 9 and the opposite end of the spring engages the upper edge of the locking lever 3|. A projection 31 formed on the pivot end of the locking lever 3| is adapted to engage the pin 93 on the casing 9 to limit clockwise movement of the locking lever 3| beyond the latching position.

.A lever 39 is secured to the stub shaft 31 in side of the casing 9 by means of a nut 1| on the end of the shaft, and the free end of the lever 39 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the locking bar 33 which is mounted within the casing 9. The locking bar 33 is provided with an elongated slot 13 which engages a stud 13 secured to the side wall of the casing 9 for guiding the locking bar in its vertical movement. The upper end of the locking bar 33 is provided with a laterally offset projection 11 which is adapted to project into the path of the lateral projection 39 on the operating plate 21 when the looking bar 33 is moved upwardly to locking position to lock the operating handle 23 in the off position.

The free end of the locking lever 3| and the locking element on the cover are provided with apertures 19 and 9| which are adapted to register when the locking lever 3| is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to locking position, as shown in Fig. 3. When the locking lever 3| is in locking position, a padlock 33 may be inserted through the apertures 19 and 3| to lock the lever 3| in its locking position.

The operation of the locking device is briefly as follows: When the locking lever 3| is in its normal latching position, as shown in Fig. 2, the latch nose 39 thereof is engaged over the latch bracket 3| on the cover II to latch the cover in closed position. In this position of the locking lever, the locking bar 33 which is connected to the locking lever, is disposed in its lowermost or.

normal position in which the laterally offset projection 11 on the upper end thereof is disposed out of the path of movement of the lateral projection 39 on the operating plate 21, so that'in this position of the locking lever 3| and locking bar 33, the operating handle 23 may be moved to its various operating positions.

Before the cover can be opened, the operating handle 23 must be moved to the 0113" position to free the lateral projection 39 of the operating plate 21 from the cover interlock 31. However, an authorized person desiring to open the cover when the breaker is closed-may release the cover interlock 31 by turning the bolt 43 in a clockwise direction. To open the cover after either of the above operations have been performed, the locking lever 3| is moved upwardly to cause the latch nose 39 thereof to clear the latch bracket 3| on the cover The cover is now released and may be swung to open position. When the cover H is reclosed, the latch bracket 3| thereof engages the slanting edge of the latch nose" of the locking lever 3| to force the lever upwardly and clearr'th'e latch nose 39 thereof. When the cover reaches-closed posiarenas tion, the spring 68 returns the locking lever II to its latching position.

To lock the cover closed and the breaker in the "off position, the locking lever II is moved upwardly or in a counter-clockwise direction. as viewed in Fig. 2, to its locking position, as shown in Fig. 3, and a padlock B3 is inserted through the apertures 19 and 8| to lock the lever in its looking position. The insertion of the padlock 83 in the apertures 19 and BI serves to lock the cover II in closed position to prevent opening thereof. When the locking lever is moved to its locking position, the locking bar I! in the casing 9 is moved upwardly thereby to its locking position, in which the laterally oflset projection 11 thereof extends into the path or movement of the projection 39 on the operating plate 21 to prevent counter-clockwise movement of the operating handle 23 and plate 21. Since the locking bar I! is locked in its locking position by the padlock 83, it is impossible to move the operating handle 23, and consequently, the breaker handle II, to the on position.

If the locking lever BI is moved to the locking position when the operating handle 23 is in the on" position, the upward movement of the locking bar 55 causes the projection TI thereof to engage the projection 39 of the operating plate 21 and cause movement of the operating plate and consequently the breaker handle I! to the ofl" position.

The locking bracket 53 may be provided with a knockout 85 adjacent its lower end so that it it is desired to lock the cover ll closed without also looking the breaker in the off position, the knockout 85 may be removed and the padlock inserted through the aperture 19 in the lever and the knockout aperture 85, to lock the lever 8| in its latching position.

While the invention has been disclosed in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, it is to be understood that various changes in the structural details thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is desired, therefore, that the appended claims be given the broadest reasonable construction permissible in view of the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an enclosing cabinet for a circuit interrupter having a movable handle, a casing in which the circuit interrupter is mounted, an openable cover for said casing having an operating handle thereon for moving the interrupter handle to various positions to operate the interrupter, and a locking device operable from outside said cabinet for locking said cover closed and said interrupter handle in a predetermined position comprising a locking element movable independently of said operating handle and operable when locked in one position to lock said cover closed and to lock said interrupter handle in said predetermined position.

2. In combination with a circuit interrupter having a movable handle, a casing in which the interrupter is mounted, an openable cover for said casing, means on said cover for actuating said interrupter handle to various positions to operate the interrupter, and a common locking device for locking said cover closed and for preventing movement of said interrupter handle to "on position comprising a movable locking element free of connection with said actuating means, and means for locking said element in a locking position to lock said cover closed and to prevent movement of the interrupter handle to the "on position. x

3. In an enclosing cabinet for a circuit interrupter, a casing in which the interrupter is mounted, an openable cover for said casing having means thereon tor actuating said interrupter, and a locking device on said cabinet and operable from outside said cabinet comprising a locking element movable independenth of said actuating means and having a locking position in which it is lockable to prevent opening or said cover and said locking element having means for receiving a single lock operable to both look said cover and to prevent actuation otsaid interrupter.

4. In an enclosing cabinet for a circuit interrupter having a movable handle, a casing in which the interrupter is mounted, an openable cover for said casing having an operating handle thereon for moving the interrupter handle to various positions to operate the interrupter, a locking device on said cabinet comprising a looking member movable independently of said operating handle and having provision for receiving a lock, said lock being operable when locked in one position to lock said cover closed and said interrupter handle in a predetermined position.

5. In combination with a circuit interrupter, a cabinet in which the interrupter is mounted having an openable cover, means on said cover for actuating said interrupter, a locking device on said cabinet comprising a movable locking member free of connection with said actuating means, said member having provision for receiving a lock and said lock being operable when said looking member is locked in one position to prevent opening of said cover and also to prevent actuation oi said interrupter.

6. In an enclosing cabinet for a circuit interrupter, a casing in which the interrupter is mounted, an openable cover for said casing having means for actuating the interrupter, a locking device on said cabinet having a locking member movable to two difierent positions and having provision i'or receiving a lock to lock said member in one of said positions, said locking device being operable when said locking member is locked in said one position to lock said cover closed and to prevent actuation of said interrupter by the means on said cover, and operable when said locking member is in the other position to releasably latch said cover closed.

7. In combination with a circuit interrupter having a movable handle, a cabinet in which the interrupter is mounted having an openable cover,

an operating handle on said cover for moving the 55 interrupter handle to various positions to operate the interrupter, a locking device on said cabinet having a locking member movable to two locking positions and having provision for receiving a lock to lock said member in one 01' said positions, said locking device being operable when said looking member is locked in said one position to lock said cover closed and said interrupter handle in a predetermined position, and being operable when said locking member is in the other position to prevent opening or said cover.

8. In an enclosing cabinet for a circuit interrupter having a movable handle, a casing in which the interrupter is mounted, an openable cover for said casing having an operating handle thereon for moving the interrupter handle to on and "01 positions to operate the interrupter, a locking device on said cabinet having a locking member movable to two locking positions and having provision for receiving a lock to lock 75 said member in either of said positions, said locking device being operable when said locking member is locked in one position to lock said cover only in closed position, and operable when said'locking member is locked in the other position to lock said cover closed and also said interrupter handle in the oil" position.

9. In combination with a circuit interrupter, a cabinet in which the interrupter is mounted having an openable cover, an operating handle on said cover movable to various positions for actuating the interrupter, and a locking device comprising a locking member movable independently of said operating handle and means for locking said member in one position to lock said operating handle in a predetermined position and for looking said cover closed.

10. In an enclosed circuit interrupter, a casing having an openable cover, a circuit interrupter having a movable handle disposed in said casing, an operating handle on said cover movable to an on and to an "ofi position for moving the interrupter handle to corresponding positions to operate the interrupter, locking means comprising a. movable locking element tree of connection with said operating handle and having provision for receiving a lock to lock said operating handle in the "off position, said locking means being efiective when locked to also prevent opening of said cover.

11. In an enclosing cabinet for a circuit interrupter having a movable handle, a casing in which the circuit interrupter is mounted, an openable cover for said casing having an operating handle thereon movable to an on" and to an off position for moving the interrupter handle to corresponding positions to operate the interrupter, a locking device on said cabinet for locking said cover closed and said operating handle in the off position comprising a locking element secured to said cover having an aperture therein, a locking element mounted on said casing for movement from a normal position to a locking position and movable independently of said handles, said movable locking element having an aperture therein which registers with the aperture oi-the locking element on the cover when the movable locking element is in locking position for receiving a lock to lock said element in locking position, said locking element when locked in looking position preventing opening of said cover and also preventing movement oi said operating handle to the on" position.

12. In an enclosed circuit interrupter, a casing having an openable cover, a circuit interrupting unit having an actuating handle disposed in said casing, a movable operating handle on said cover for moving said interrupter handle to operate the interrupter, and a locking device for locking said cover closed and said interrupter handle in a predetermined position comprising a movable lock ing element having provision for receiving at least one padlock to lock said element, said locking element having a normal position in which said lockposition.

ing device releasably prevents opening of said cover, and said locking element being movable to a position in which it is adapted to be locked by said padlock to lock said cover closed and to lock said interrupter handle in said predetermined position.

13. In an enclosed circuit interrupter, a dusttight casing having an openable cover, a circuit interrupting unit having an actuating handle mounted in said casing, a movable operating handle on said cover for moving said interrupter handle to operate the interrupter, said operating handle having a shaft extending through a dusttight bushing on said cover, and a locking device ior locking said cover closed and said interrupter handle in a predetermined position comprising a movable locking element having a shaft extending through a dust-tight bushing in said casing, and means for locking said locking element in a locking position to lock said cover closed and said interrupter handle in said predetermined position.

14. In an enclosed circuit interrupter, a casing having an openable cover, a circuit interrupter having a movable handle disposed in said casing, an operating handle on said cover movable to an "on and to an oil position for moving the interrupter handle to ,corresponding positions to operate the interrupter, locking means comprising means for preventing opening of said cover even though the locking means is not locked when said operating handle is in said on position but permitting opening of said cover when said operating handle is in said "oi!" position and a movable locking element tree of connection with said operating handle and having provision tor receiving a lock to lock said operating handle in the "off" position, said locking means being eilective when locked to also prevent opening of said cover even though said operating handle may be in said position.

15. In an enclosed circuit interrupter, a casing having an openable cover, a circuit interrupter having a movable handle disposed in said casing, an operating'handle mounted on said cover for rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the cover about a shaft extending through the cover and movable to an on and to an 011" position for moving the interrupter handle to corresponding positions to operate the interrupter, locking means comprising means positioned within the casing for preventing opening of said cover even though the locking means is not locked when said operating handle is in said on position but permitting opening of said cover when said operating handle is in said oi! position and a movable locking element free or connection with said operating handle and having provision for receiving a lock to lock said operating handle in the 03" position, said locking means being effective when locked to also prevent opening of said cover even though said operating handle may be in said 011" DELBERT ELLIS. 

